What stands out from the start in NBA Playgrounds are the aesthetics. From Oscar Robertson’s sideburns to Magic Johnson’s short shorts, the developers at Saber Interactive appreciate the past and present style of the NBA. They also went out of their way to add signature animations to certain players, so Shaquille O’Neal has his thunderous two-handed jam and Allen Iverson has a unique crossover that’s immediately recognizable. There was love and attention paid to the hundreds of dunk and pass animations in Playgrounds, and these visual payoffs are what give it a standout quality.